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This come from the new YouTube video that I’m working on.The working title is, “Impotent Believers”

“But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet to warn the people and the sword comes and takes someone’s life, that person’s life will be taken because of their sin, but I will hold the watchman accountable for their blood.” — God (Ezekiel 33:6 NIV)

There are people who profess to be a Christian for 30, 40, 50 years and have never shared Jesus with someone or won one person to Lord. They could be Sunday School teachers, elders or deacons and even pastors. Jesus said, “The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.” (Luke 3:9 NIV) He said in Matthew 7:19, “Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.” (NIV)

The Greek word for fire in these two verses can mean fire or trials. In Scripture, fire is often used figuratively – like with the “fire of God” which transforms all it touches into light and likeness with itself. God’s Spirit, like a holy fire, enlightens and purifies believers.

What happens when a tree is cut down? It looses connection with the life-giving earth and water. Jesus said, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5 NIV) Literally in the original Greek Jesus is saying “If you maintain a living communion with me you will bear much fruit.” If you’re not doing this, then, don’t be surprised if you become like so many church members—dead, indifferent and out of touch with God.

Again Jesus said, “By their fruit you will know them” and in this case, you will know them because of their lack of fruit. Quite frankly, the chances of these dedicated pew warmers actually being members of God’s Kingdom is slim to none. And for those who are unproductive born again member of the Church, get ready for the purifying fire of God.

“My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.” (Hebrews 12:5-6 NIV)

How would you like for God to bless everything you do? Silly question; who wouldn’t want God to bless everything they do? But will God do that? Absolutely, but He expects something from us first.

In George Orwell’s classic novel, 1984, he describes a world not only bound in deception but also thriving on it. It’s a civilization not unlike our own. In it Orwell spoke of a language called “newspeak” where terms like “bad” were changed to something a bit more pleasant like “ungood.” Our society has adopted a similar language. Only we call it political correctness. For example, a person is no longer deaf he is called aurally challenged, and one who is blind is visually challenged. And in my case, I’m not getting bald I’m just follicly challenged. It all boils down to the same thing. It’s just said in a way that some think is less offensive.

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But the man who looks intently into the perfect law [God’s WORD] that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it― he will be blessed in what he does. (James 1:22-25 NIV)

We should be careful less we make the mistake of thinking that just because we call ourselves a Christian, we’re immune to deception. Sadly, true Christians often fall under gross deceptions of all kinds. James tells us in this passage how to decrease the chances of being deceived. “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves.” he said. “Do what it says.”

Orwell used another term called “Doublethink.” It’s the notion that one can equally embrace two separate belief systems, i.e. that one can believe one way, yet act another way. Does this sound familiar? A lot of us call ourselves “Christian” yet we live a life devoid of Christianity. Many of us so called “Christians” treat the Bible like it’s a spiritual smorgasbord. We pick and choose what we want to believe in the scriptures and do the same when it comes to obeying God’s Word. Then, we still expect God to bless us. The Bible calls “doublethink” “double-mindedness”. It’s also called it being deceived. James spoke of the effects of such an attitude earlier in this chapter.

If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does. (James 1:5-8 NIV)

To be double-minded is to vacillate between two opinions. 2 Chronicles 25 speaks of a double-minded man named Amaziah, who was king of Jerusalem. Verse 2 says, “He did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, but not wholeheartedly.” (NIV) He had a divided heart and wasn’t totally committed to God.

God is searching for sold-out saints in the midst of a society of half-hearted church members. He’s looking for those who are willing to follow Him unconditionally, without question or reservations. God is looking for servants, who have no mixed loyalties; who will finish the course set out for them and do their best to obey Him in all things.

“I believe that if there is one thing which pierces the Master’s heart with unutterable grief it is not the world’s iniquity but the church’s indifference.” – F. B. Meyer [1]

Again James said, “But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it― he will be blessed in what he does.” (James 1:25 NIV)

Is your heart divided when it comes to trusting and serving our LORD? Are you an “Amaziah Christian”? Are you double-minded? Do you sort of follow God by sort of obeying Him? In other words, do you do what is right in the eyes of the LORD, but not wholeheartedly? If so, don’t expect God to bless what you do. God never has, and never will, bless disobedience. It’s the one requirement that James said was essential in order for a believer to be blessed in what he does.

Let me make something clear before I give the wrong impression. Please understand that I’m not talking about gaining God’s favor for salvation through good works. No, I’m not talking about works; I’m talking about fruit. Jesus said, “…by their fruit you will recognize them.” (Matthew 7:20 NIV) Your level of commitment will be reflected in the integrity of the fruit that you bear. People will look at you and see the uncompromising relationship you have with our LORD and they will want what you have.

“Have you ever noticed the difference in the Christian life between work and fruit? A machine can do work; only life can bear fruit.” — Andrew Murray [2]

And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, (Colossians 1:10 NIV)

Let’s all repent of our divided hearts. Let’s get serious about reaching this fallen world for Christ. Then, and only then, will God bless all that we do.

“What our Lord said about cross-bearing and obedience is not in fine type.It is in bold print on the face of the contract.” — Vance Havner 3

“As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” — God (Isaiah 55:9 NIV)

Have you ever tried to second-guess God? If we answer honestly we’ve all been guilty of this. To second-guess someone is to try to predict what he or she is going to say or do before they say or do it. We try to do that with God when it comes to our personal lives. “God wouldn’t let me lose my job, my house, my spouse, my fill-in-the-blank.” “God’s going to give me that new job, house, that money, that fill-in-the-blank.”

There’s nothing wrong with claiming the promises of God as they are clearly dictated in his WORD. By all means, cling to them with all your heart! Just don’t make the mistake that I’ve…